====== Cron Engine & Scheduling ======

===== Overview =====

The LEAST cron engine runs background jobs on configurable schedules. All schedules are stored in the **CronSchedule** database table and managed through the web UI — no direct crontab editing is required for application jobs.

Navigate to the **Cron Engine Canvas** (''system/workflow_cron.php'') for all cron-related tools.

===== Cron Schedules =====

**Cron Schedule** (''system/cron_schedule.php'') lists all configured jobs:
  * Enable or disable individual schedules using the toggle
  * View: last run time, next scheduled run, frequency, and status
  * **Create Schedule** — add a new job with a standard or custom cron expression (e.g. ''0 2 * * *'' = daily at 2am)
  * **Edit Schedule** — change the frequency, enable/disable, or update parameters

===== Key Scheduled Jobs =====

^ Job ^ Frequency ^ Purpose ^
| Metric Snapshot | Daily | Captures platform-wide engagement metrics for trend analysis |
| Badge Processing | Daily | Issues queued Open Badge assertions |
| Email Digest | Weekly | Sends engagement summary reports to educators |
| PHP Health Checks | Weekly | Runs 12 platform health verifications; emails report |
| Audit Cron | Configurable | Aggregates audit log data for analytics |
| EKOS Review | Weekly | Runs AI classification suggestions for untagged lessons |

===== Cron Queue =====

**Cron Queue** (''system/cron_queue.php'') shows all job executions:
  * **Pending** — scheduled to run, not yet started
  * **Running** — currently executing
  * **Completed** — finished successfully
  * **Failed** — errored; check the log for details

===== Cron Logs =====

**Cron Logs** (''system/cron_logs.php'') provides the full execution history:
  * Start time, end time, and duration per execution
  * Output/error details for failed runs
  * Filter by job name or date range

===== Email Queue =====

**Email Queue** (''system/cron_email_queue.php'') shows pending email jobs:
  * Each row is one email delivery task
  * Status: Pending, Sent, Failed
  * Click a row to view the full email content and delivery attempt log

===== Email Templates =====

**Email Templates** (''system/cron_email_templates.php'') manages the template library for system emails:
  * Templates use ''{{variable}}'' placeholders substituted at send time
  * Edit HTML and plain-text versions
  * Preview a template before saving

Common template variables: ''{{user_name}}'', ''{{lesson_title}}'', ''{{badge_name}}'', ''{{site_name}}'', ''{{action_url}}''

===== Social Posting Queue =====

**Social Posts** (''system/cron_social_posts.php'') manages scheduled social media content:
  * View pending posts and their target platform and schedule
  * Cancel or reschedule a post
  * View post history and delivery status

**Social Accounts** (''system/cron_social_accounts.php'') — connected platform credentials.
**Social Platforms** (''system/cron_social_platforms.php'') — available plugin integrations.